Alabama National Signing Day football recruiting capsules

Eddie Smith, CB, 6-0, 180, Salmen HS, Slidell, La.: Nick Saban invaded Louisiana again, this time for his team’s most immediate position of need. Smith came onto the Tide’s radar late — he was extended an offer on Jan. 11 — and 247Sports’ composite rankings peg him the 15th-best player in Louisiana. At 6-foot, 180, Smith’s profile and frame is almost identical to the two cornerbacks he must follow, Anthony Averett and Levi Wallace.

Patrick Surtain Jr., CB, 6-1, 199, American Heritage, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: Surtain was Alabama’s foremost signing day priority, one the Crimson Tide lured from conference rival LSU. Surtain’s father, Patrick Sr., is a New Orleans native and three-time Pro Bowler who played 11 seasons in the NFL. Now, his son will enter Tuscaloosa with an immediate chance for playing time. The five-star whom 247Sports ranked the No. 1 cornerback in the 2018 class and the No. 6 overall player is thought to be talented enough to contribute in his first season on campus — ideal for an Alabama team that lost its top six defensive backs from last season’s team.

Jaylen Moody, ILB, 6-2, 225, Conway (S.C.) HS: Another late addition to Alabama’s big board, Moody was offered by the program on Jan. 30 while new Tide defensive coach Pete Golding was Moody’s primary recruiter, according to 247Sports. Though Alabama returns Dylan Moses and Lyndell “Mack” Wilson, two young inside linebackers who gained tons of experience this season, Moody can slide in to replenish the depth lost when Rashaan Evans and Shaun Hamilton graduated.

Michael Parker, TE, 6-6, 230, Westminster-Huntsville: Parker is a legacy commitment — his older brother, Jacob, was a walk-on for the Crimson Tide — and he will fill some depth requirements at a loaded tight end position. Parker was the 20th ranked player in Alabama, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, and was a three-star prospect.

Jaylen Waddle, WR, 5-9, 175, Episcopal, Bellaire, Texas: After missing on both four-star Justyn Ross — the No. 1 player in Alabama — and fellow four-star Jacob Copeland, getting Waddle was crucial for the Crimson Tide at a position requiring more depth. Alabama returns the experienced sophomore trio of Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III, but did lose Calvin Ridley, Cam Sims and Robert Foster. Waddle is the No. 5 receiver in the class, according to 247Sports, and the No. 3 player in Texas.

EARLY ENROLLEES

Slade Bolden, ATH, 5-11, 198, West Monroe (La.) HS: A do-it-all athlete who quarterbacked his high school team to within a win of a state championship, Bolden profiles as more of a slot receiver in Tuscaloosa. Bolden spurned his home-state LSU Tigers to join the Crimson Tide.

Skyler DeLong, P, 6-4, 180, Nation Ford, Fort Mill, S.C.: The nation’s No. 2 punter according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, DeLong is the heir apparent to JK Scott — the four-year Crimson Tide starter and two-time Ray Guy Award finalist. Those are large shoes to fill for DeLong, a one-time Tennessee commitment who flipped to the Tide in June and accepted an invitation to the U.S. Army All-American Game following his senior season.

Saivion Smith, CB, 6-1, 175, IMG Academy/LSU/Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, Perkinston, Miss.: Smith began practicing with Alabama during playoff preparations. The nation’s No. 1 junior college cornerback, Smith began his career at LSU before transferring to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He should contend for immediate playing time given the senior-heavy secondary departing the Crimson Tide.

Stephon Wynn, SDE, 6-4, 285, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.: Wynn committed to the Crimson Tide over Georgia and South Carolina on July 1 — a big beginning to Alabama’s summer on the recruiting trail. He’s the nation’s third-best strong-side defensive end, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, and profiles a tad differently than fellow commitments Cameron Latu and Jordan Davis. Wynn is a more traditional, hand-to-the-ground end who will rush off the edge.

EARLY SIGNEES

Joshua Jobe, CB, 6-1, 180, Cheshire Academy, Cheshire, Conn.: The final piece of Alabama’s defensive back-dominated class, Jobe flipped from a nearly two-year commitment to Miami (Florida) last week, instead signing with the Crimson Tide. A consensus four-star player, Jobe was the No. 1 player in Connecticut and 247Sports’ composite rankings pegged him the No. 13 cornerback in this 2018 class. He and the Tide’s other defensive back commitments should have ample opportunities to play in a new-look secondary next season.

Eyabi Anoma, DE, 6-5, 230, St. Frances Academy, Baltimore: The top-ranked, uncommitted prospect entering the early signing period, Anoma chose the Crimson Tide over Maryland and Michigan during an ESPN telecast on Dec. 20. Anoma is the No. 4 player in the ESPN300 and 247Sports’ composite rankings peg him the No. 2 defensive end and No. 7 player in the country. He was Alabama’s first five-star prospect in the 2018 class. Anoma enters a Tide defensive line that lost senior end Da’Shawn Hand and defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne.

Christian Barmore, DT, 6-5, 290, Neumann Goretti, Philadelphia: Barmore is a big one for Alabama. Starting defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne departed. So did his backup — Joshua Frazier — leaving the the middle of Alabama’s defensive front depleted. Barmore committed in the early morning hours of Dec. 30, bumping the Crimson Tide’s class into the top five, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. Those same rankings peg Barmore a four-star player and the No. 17 defensive tackle in the class.

Cameron Latu, WDE, 6-5, 236, Olympus, Salt Lake City: One of the Tide’s two signees from the West, Latu is listed as a defensive end, but profiles more as a “jack” outside linebacker — that stand-up pass rushing position similar to what Anfernee Jennings played this season. Latu is the No. 2 player in Utah, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, and the No. 7 weak-side defensive end in the 2018 class. Credit Tide outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi — a California native — for this signing.

Emil Ekiyor, OL, 6-2, 322, Cathedral, Indianapolis: A consensus four-star interior lineman, Ekiyor flipped a longstanding commitment to Michigan, pledging to the Crimson Tide in late October. Ekiyor moved to center for his senior season in high school. He enters Tuscaloosa just as Tide senior center Bradley Bozeman exits, creating an early opportunity to contend for playing time.

Jordan Davis, WDE, 6-5, 238, Southwind, Memphis, Tenn.: The Crimson Tide’s longest tenured commitment in the 2018 class, Davis — who committed in December 2016 — reaffirmed his pledge just before the early signing period when he shut down his recruitment in a message posted to his Twitter account. Davis recorded more than 20 sacks as a high school senior and grew from a three-star prospect when he first committed into a consensus four-star. 247Sports’ composite rankings peg him the second-best player in Tennessee and the fifth-best weak-side defensive end.

Tommy Brown, OT, 6-6, 313 pounds, Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif.: Brown was the first offensive lineman to commit in this class. A consensus four-star player who spurned Oregon for Alabama, Brown is the No. 12 offensive tackle in the 2018 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. An Alabama legacy, Brown’s father threw shot put for the Crimson Tide in the 1980s. Brown was named an Under Armour All-American following his senior season.

Xavier Williams, WR, 6-0, 190, Chaminade-Madonna Prep, Hollywood, Fla.: Williams committed to Alabama when Billy Napier was still the Crimson Tide receivers coach. Even though the staff has turned over, Williams remained steadfast. A four-star, Williams enters a position group requiring depth after Calvin Ridley, Robert Foster and Cam Sims departed. Williams will have to battle the Tide’s rising sophomore trio of Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III, all of whom saw significant playing time this season.

Jarez Parks, DE, 6-3, 253, River, Sebastian, Fla.: Parks was actually a member of the Alabama’s 2017 recruiting class, but delayed his enrollment by grayshirting. He’s now a full-fledged member of the Crimson Tide defense, which has worked him at outside linebacker during the first few practices of bowl preparation. Parks and junior college cornerback Saivion Smith are permitted to practice during Alabama’s lead-up to the Sugar Bowl.

Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB, 6-1, 180, St. Paul’s, Mobile: The only in-state player who signed with the Crimson Tide during the early signing period, Armour-Davis is yet another defensive back in this class brimming with them. Armour-Davis was the state’s No. 2 player, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, and finished his senior season as a state runner-up with St. Paul’s.

Jerome Ford, RB, 5-11, 195, Armwood, Seffner, Fla.: The Tide’s lone running back in the 2018 class, Ford is an all-purpose back who profiles similarly to current sophomore Josh Jacobs. Ford is a consensus three-star player. 247Sports’ composite rankings peg him the No. 14 all-purpose back in the 2018 class.

Alabama commit Michael Parker was selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game.